Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance FAQ - Bolt-on Basics *****Updated 7/7/06

New format for this sticky. This first section will include a summary of updates made to the Sticky.

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=Updates=
7/7/06 - CEGer Bradness added for =Suspension= parts
7/6/06 - www.ssd4u.com added as source for =MAF Adaptors=
7/4/06 - =Headers= - How-to by Tourige added
6/27/06 - =Throttle Body= optimization services added
6/27/06 - =Motor Mounts / Poly Roll Resistors= moved to this sticky

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FAQ - Bolt-on Basics is dedicated to performance modifications that involve little to average mechanical ability.

If you want to get more serious about modifications, check out FAQ - Serious Modifications.

=Areas covered in this FAQ=
Chips
Coatings
Exhaust
Headers
Heatshields
Intakes
MAFs
MIL Eliminators
Motor Mounts / Poly Roll Resistors
Mufflers
Oil filter relocation
Resonators
Short throw shifters
"Snake Oil"
Throttle body / Optimization & Services
Y-pipes

=Chip=
A chip is recommended as one of the last modifications you want to do. Having it tuned is the most important part, and it will be tuned to your existing modifications. Getting a chip first, then intake, exhaust, headers, etc. means you will have to get your chip reprogrammed.

Most recommended/used:
Arizona Dyno Chip

=Coatings=
Coatings for your headers, exhaust, UIM, etc. will reduce the temperatures and add durability to the parts.

High Performance Coatings
Jet-Hot Coatings
Swain Tech

=Exhaust=
A bolt-on cat-back exhaust will result in 4-8hp depending on brand and modifications to your vehicle.

Bassani - Discontinued
- removable resonator tips to reduce sound
- loud and drones
- raspy when cold

Borla - Discontinued
SP Motorsports
www.ctamotorsports.com
www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 33
- smooth sound similar to stock

Bosal
www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 34
- loud with mirror finish
- flange-fit exhaust may cause some installation problems due to inability to adjust

CTA
www.ctamotorsports.com
- Magnaflow mufflers and resonators options available
- 2.5â�?� all the way back or 2.5â�?� -> 2.25â�?� available

TruBendz
www.trubendz.com
- 2.5" bolt-on cat-back exhaust
- many consider best "bang for the buck" exhaust
- many muffler and resonator options available

=Headers=
How-to: Headers by CEGer Tourige
Headers FAQ by CEGer Tourige

MSDS ���?? www.msdsinc.com
- short tube headers
- realistic gains 5-15hp+ depending on other modifications

Weapon-R - www.customcougars.com Discontinued
- short tube headers
- known as MSDS knockoffs

=Heatshields=
CEGers have used various methods and techniques to create heatshields. Some are cheap and easy, others a little more expensive and more creativity.
Search: heatshield

=Intakes=
AEM Intake System
www.ctamotorsports.com
SP Motorsports

BAT
www.batinc.net/contour.htm pages 22 - 25
www.ctamotorsports.com
SP Motorsports

Most popular open filter: K&N RU-3530
www.ajusa.com

KKM
KKM intake

=MAF Adaptors=
www.batinc.net/contour.htm page 23
CTA Motorsports
SP Motorsports
www.ssd4u.com ***Added 7/6/06***
CEGer J3SVT: They are sold with hardware and the K&N on the website, but CAN be purchased separately if you e-mail or call them and ask ONLY for the maf adapter. They are made specifically for the ru-3530 and are made from hardened polyurethane. I paid about 26 dollars shipped.

K&N Induction Kit
SP Motorsports

Injen
SP Motorsports

=MAF=
The stock MAF can support about 280-290FWHP safely.
There is not a "need" to upgrade until then.
Larger MAF discussion
Recent MAF discussion

=MIL Eliminators=
MIL Eliminators

=Motor Mounts / Poly Roll Resistors=
Front and rear - Purchase from CEGer pole120

=Mufflers=
Magnaflow - most popular, most recommended
Flowmaster
Dynomax

Magnaflow mufflers can be purchased from www.justmagnaflow.com - CEGer Stazi does NOT sell them anymore!

=Oil filter relocation How-to=
How-to by CEGer todras

=Resonators=
A resonator will result in 1-3hp depending on modfications to your vehicle, and provide a nicer sound.

Magnaflow - most popular, most recommended (4" round straight through muffler")
Used by CEGers: #10435 and #11225

Where to buy:
CEGer Stazi
www.justmagnaflow.com

=Short Throw Shifters=
Cutting your shifter down is not a short throw shifter!
B&M
SP Motorsports
- shifter is shorter than stock height
- 1st true short throw shifter

Steeda (MTX-75)
Steeda
Ebay
- shifter is close to the same height as stock
- an adapter plate is needed to install

OBX
Ebay
- considered to be poorly made
- reinforcing the weld at the base generally solves the problem

=Throttle body=
TB Optimization from CEGer pole120 - optimization by hand
Added 6/27/06

TB Optimization by machine TB Optimization by machine - contact CEGer GTO Pete
Added 6/28/06

Optimize the SVT TB
Optimize How-to on Main site
Install How-to on Main site

2.5Ls will not benefit from a larger throttle body like the Mustang 65mm) unless you are running some kind of Forced Induction. Save yourself money and Optimize the SVT TB.

=Y-pipes=
A y-pipe will result in 4-8hp depending on modfications to your vehicle.

www.batinc.net/contour.htm - page 33
SP Motorsports
- stainless and aluminized
- realistic gains: 4-8hp depending on other modifications

=Snake Oil=
The following products are nothing more than marketing hype and wont do you any good:
- Tornado Fuel Saver
- Ebay Performance Chips/Modules/Resistors "good for 20+hp"
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

FAQ: Misconceptions / debated subjects, snake oil

=Suspension=
CEGer Bradness
See/Search Suspension forum fpr Tubular Toe Control Arms[/url]